Sign-In
Cart
Sayings We Forgot Were Strange: 250 Curious Origins of Everyday Phrases, Idioms, Insults, Proverbs, and Old Expressions
Paperback
Currently unavailable to order
Please enter your email and a message will be sent to you when this product becomes available on our website.
Publisher: Old Lantern House Books
Pages: 196
Weight: 0.59
Height: 0.45 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Why do we say someone has let the cat out of the bag? Why is a false clue called a red herring? What does it mean to be caught red-handed, beyond the pale, or worth your salt?
Most people use these phrases every day without giving them a second thought. Hidden inside them are forgotten worlds. Ancient rituals. Medieval markets. Public punishments. Sailing ships. Taverns. Theatres. Battlefields. Trades that vanished centuries ago but somehow left their fingerprints all over the English language.
In Sayings We Forgot Were Strange, Arthur Bellamy uncovers the fascinating origins of 250 everyday phrases, idioms, insults, proverbs, and old expressions, revealing where they came from, what they originally meant, and how their meanings changed across the centuries.
Travel through the strange history behind familiar sayings and discover:
- The real stories behind some of the most common expressions in English
- Forgotten customs, beliefs, trades, punishments, and superstitions preserved in language
- Animal sayings, food phrases, legal expressions, nautical terms, theatrical language, religious sayings, and much more
- Popular origin myths that sound convincing but collapse under scrutiny
- Surprising facts, curious histories, and linguistic mysteries that continue to puzzle scholars
Each entry includes an evidence rating that separates established history from speculation, helping readers distinguish between documented origins and stories that have simply been repeated for generations.
Packed with history, folklore, language, trivia, and remarkable true stories, this is a book for anyone who has ever wondered why we say the things we say.
The phrases survived.
The worlds that created them almost disappeared.
This book brings them back to life.
Also in
Etymology
English Grammar in Use Book with Answers: A Self-Study Reference and Practice Book for Intermediate Learners of English
Murphy, Raymond
Paperback
English Collocations in Use Intermediate Book with Answers: How Words Work Together for Fluent and Natural English
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks
LaFleur, Richard A.
Paperback
The Perfect English Grammar Workbook: Simple Rules and Quizzes to Master Today's English
McLendon, Lisa
Paperback
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need, Updated Edition: Your One-Stop Source for Mastering English Grammar
Thurman, Susan
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
O'Dell, Felicity
McCarthy, Michael
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Complete English All-In-One for ESL Learners, Premium Second Edition
Swick, Ed
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: English Vocabulary for Beginning ESL Learners, Premium Fourth Edition
Yates, Jean
Paperback
101 Conversations in Intermediate English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Improve Your Spoken English from Home
Richards, Olly
Paperback
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate Book with Answers and Enhanced eBook: Vocabulary Reference and Practice
McCarthy, Michael
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Forsyth, Mark
Paperback
Practice Makes Perfect: Advanced English Grammar for ESL Learners, Second Edition
Lester, Mark
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días - Inglés Para Conversar / English in 100 Days: Conversational English
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
101 Conversations in Simple English: Short, Natural Dialogues to Boost Your Confidence & Improve Your Spoken English
Richards, Olly
Paperback
Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Curious Origins of Everyday Sayings and Fun Phrases
Thompson, Andrew
Hardcover
Practice Makes Perfect: Intermediate English Grammar for ESL Learners, Third Edition
Torres-Gouzerh, Robin
Paperback
Inglés En 100 Días. Inglés Para Latinos. Nueva Edición / English in 100 Days. the Latino's Complete English Course
Inglés En 100 Días
Paperback
Inglés Básico: Una introducción práctica en treinta temas básicos para empezar a hablar ya!
Welsch, Daniel
Paperback
Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English (Fourth Edition)
O'Conner, Patricia T.
Paperback
50 English Coffee Breaks: Short Activities to Improve Your English One Cup at a Time
Coffee Break Languages
Paperback
Azar-Hagen Grammar - (Ae) - 5th Edition - Student Book with App - Fundamentals of English Grammar
Azar, Betty
Hagen, Stacy
Paperback
The Why You Say It: The Fascinating Stories Behind Over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases
Garrison, Webb
Paperback
Practical English Usage, 4th Edition Paperback: Michael Swan's Guide to Problems in English
Swan, Michael
Paperback
The Best Punctuation Book, Period: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Casagrande, June
Paperback
Biología y procesos vivos: Diccionario etimológico crítico del castellano
Goitia Blanco, Javier
Paperback
English Grammar in Use Supplementary Exercises Book with Answers: To Accompany English Grammar in Use Fifth Edition
Hashemi, Louise
Paperback
English Pronunciation in Use Intermediate Book with Answers and Downloadable Audio
Hancock, Mark
Paperback
The Illustrated Histories of Everyday Expressions: Discover the True Stories Behind the English Language's 64 Most Popular Idioms
McGuire, James
Hardcover
McGraw-Hill Education 400 Must-Have Words for the Toefl, 2nd Edition
Zwier, Lawrence
Stafford-Yilmaz, Lynn
Paperback
The Horologicon: A Day's Jaunt Through the Lost Words of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Paperback
American English File Second Edition: Level 4 Student Book: With Online Practice
Latham-Koenig, Christina
Oxenden, Clive
Paperback
Vandals, Scapegoats, and Bootleggers: The Curious Origins of Everyday Words
Thompson, Andrew
Paperback
The Illustrated Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
Forsyth, Mark
Hardcover
Japan's Cultural Codewords: 233 Key Japanese Terms and Expressions to Help You Navigate the Culture Successfully
De Mente, Boye Lafayette
Paperback
Exam Essentials Practice Tests: Cambridge English Advanced 2 with Key and DVD-ROM
Bradbury, Tom
Yeates, Eunice
Paperback
Future Words: A Non-Obvious Glossary of Terms That Don't Exist (But Soon Will)
Bhargava, Rohit
Coutinho-Mason, Henry
Hardcover
Beginner English for Everyone: Easy Words, Phrases & Expressions for Self-Study
Bolen, Jackie
Paperback
Introduction to Ebonics: The Relexification of African Grammar with English and Other Indo-European Words
Taylor, Linda R.
Paperback
Words on the Move: Why English Won't - And Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally)
McWhorter, John
Paperback
American Headway Third Edition: Level Starter Student Book: With Oxford Online Skills Practice Pack
Soars, John And Liz
Paperback
Collaboration and Co-Teaching for English Learners: A Leader′s Guide
Dove, Maria G.
Honigsfeld, Andrea
Paperback
American English File Second Edition: Level 1 Student Book: With Online Practice
Seligson, Paul
Latham-Koenig, Christina
Oxenden, Clive
Hardcover
Objective Proficiency Student's Book with Answers with Downloadable Software
Capel, Annette
Sharp, Wendy
Paperback
Work on Your Vocabulary: A Practice Book for Learners at Upper Intermediate Level
Collins Uk
Paperback
A Student's Introduction to English Grammar
Huddleston, Rodney
Pullum, Geoffrey K.
Reynolds, Brett
Paperback
Azar-Hagen Grammar - (Ae) - 5th Edition - Student Book with App - Basic English Grammar
Hagen, Stacy
Azar, Betty
Paperback
Tracks That Speak: The Legacy of Native American Words in North American Culture
Cutler, Charles L.
Paperback
First for Schools Trainer Six Practice Tests with Answers and Teachers Notes with Audio
Tiliouine, Helen
Elliott, Sue
O'Dell, Felicity
Paperback
Vox Populi: 600 Latin Quotes and Phrases for Everyday Life and Personal Inspiration
Vitali, Giulio
Paperback
Inspired Baby Names from Around the World: 6,000 International Names and the Meaning Behind Them
Shane, Neala
Paperback
Learn English Paragraph Writing Skills: ESL Paragraph Essentials for International Students
Dew, Stephen E.
Paperback
100 TESOL Activities: Practical ESL/EFL Activities for the Communicative Classroom
Dixon, Shane
Paperback
Great Business English: Phrases, Verbs and Vocabulary for Speaking Fluent English
Moore Mba, Hilary F.
Paperback